While many people opt for layering clothes during the colder months in order to stay warm, few consider it a fashion statement in the summer. However, the weather isn’t a reason to discontinue layering, especially if a layered look is something you prefer. You can layer in any season as long as you know how to do it. Keep reading to get a few tips for creating a layered look in the summer, so you’re ready to look great even when it’s hot out.
Pick Light Colors
Many people think that light colors belong in spring with all the other pastels, but if you’re going to layer items in hot weather, then you’ll need to bring those light colors to the summer too. While you don’t need to dress entirely in white or beige to stay comfortable in layers during the summer, choosing light neutrals along with lighter statement colors like blue and pink will help you stay cool and fashionable. If you’re desperate to add bolder, darker colors, do so with accessories that don’t add heat, like shoes, purses, and jewelry.
Dress for Fashion, Not Function
One of the things that gets in the way of people layering effectively is that they choose every part of their outfit based on how it functions, not on how it looks. But layers in the summer are all about fashion, not functionality. That means you can embrace certain clothing options even if they’re not functioning as intended. For example, you can wear a button-up shirt loose and open over a crop top or other light lower layer. While the button-up should be buttoned up, you should focus more on how the button-up looks than on the fact that you’re not going to button it at all during the summer.
Make Sure You Can Get Them Off
We’ve all picked out an outfit in front of the mirror feeling great, only to realize as the day goes on that it’s not going to last. Unfortunately, this can happen frequently with summer layers. At the start of the day, when the sun has recently come up and it isn’t too hot, you can wear layers and feel great. But as the day goes on and gets hotter, you suddenly care a little less about the fashion and a little more about your comfort level—and that’s okay! Just make sure you’ve worn your layers in a way that you can easily and safely take them off and store them somewhere so you can continue to comfortably go about your day.
If you want to create a layered look in the summer, you have to follow the tips we’ve listed above. Picking light colors, remembering to dress for fashion, and arranging your layers so you can strip something off if you have are all key to creating a layered outfit you love that you can stay comfortable in despite the hot weather.